In Loudoun County, there are multitudes of needs for specialized education for its children and families that are not being met. We have supported reading programs for autistic children and their families, as well as soccer programs for at risk teens. In addition, we have been able to start the first training sessions for the Boards of Non-Profit groups in the county so that their organization’s services can be enhanced for the residents they serve. 100WomenStrong recommends grants to applicants, allowing them to better accomplish, or increase their capacity to fulfill their mission. Each of these grants increases the quality of life for the residents of Loudoun County.

The New Ag School

The Arc of Loudoun Paxton Campus

Fund A Life Like Yours (ALLY) educational series on disability rights, guidance and support to the estimated 48,300 people in Loudoun County with disabilities, their families, caretakers and the community at large

After school program for at-risk kids, particularly those who qualify for McKinny-Vento services. Grant to purchase tables, chairs, book shelves, white boards, education materials, volunteer incentives, etc.

Liberty’s Promise

After school civics program and internship program aimed at helping immigrant youth succeed in the US. Program will be based at Parkview High School in Sterling, VA.

Loudoun Therapeutic Riding

www.ltrf.orgGrant: $8,400
Reins to Independence pilot program – Therapeutic horsemanship program for secondary students in self-contained autism classes. The program will teach up to six students who have “aged out” of current school programs (soon to graduate).

SCAN of Northern Virginia

www.scanva.orgGrant: $7,700
Present “Stewards of Children” program to 40 parents. Trains parents to recognize signs of sexual abuse. Also, to help partially fund “Immigrant Family Reunification” program at Park View High School for immigrant families who have been living in different countries and now are reunited.

2014

SCAN of Northern Virginia

The program provides a unique perspective on child sexual abuse prevention, focusing on teaching adults to prevent, recognize, and respond effectively. In collaboration with LAWS, SCAN will organize 4-6 Stewards of Children workshops to train at least 60 Loudoun adults. The Seven Steps taught in the program include factual information on child sexual abuse, concrete tips on minimizing children’s risk and talking openly to children, recognizing signs of child sexual abuse, creating a plan for responding to reports and acting on suspicions, as well as tips on getting involved in prevention efforts in the local community. At the training, each participant will be provided with a Stewards of Children workbook which helps facilitate discussion and reinforce key concepts, as well as providing a resource and personal action plan for participants. SCAN’s Public Education team will also raise awareness of the issue of child sexual abuse regionally through ongoing media efforts.

LCPS Headstart

www.lcps.org/headstartGrant: $5,900
LCPS Head Start is reinstating and expanding the Educational Enrichmentprogram to provide field trips to all of their students, which will enrich activities outside of the classroom throughout the school year. Field trips will be tied in to what the students are learning in class and will allow them real-life learning experiences. Field trips can really bring classroom study alive for students and help them connect what they are learning in school to the world around them.

Loudoun Literacy Council

loudounliteracy.orgGrant: $3,500
LLC is working with LCPS to create the Adult Family Members Literacy Enrichment to identify two additional high-needs school sites for adult ELL classes, coordinating class offerings at these sites, and delivering ELL classes to parents and older family members of students who have or are participating in the Head Start program. LLC will also expand the family literacy programs at the Volunteers of America Homeless Shelters to include offering either a volunteer led after school homework club or tutoring for the residents at the shelters.

2013

All Ages Read Together (AART)

www.allagesreadtogether.comGrant: $12,600
This grant funds a pilot mobile reading program called AART-in-a-Cart, an effort that reaches out to children who are unable to attend existing on-site programs due to lack of transportation and/or income. The program targets home day-cares with portable “theme carts” and will run for a full year of 3 ten-week sessions.

The ARC of Loudoun (Paxton Campus)

www.paxtoncampus.org/allyGrant: $3,000
ARC Loudoun received a grant for its Next Chapter Book Club which provides adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to read, discuss books, and make friends in a fun community setting. Members, ranging from those who read well to those who cannot read independently, meet weekly to read aloud and discuss books of their choosing.

Update:

You Belong @ Your Library (Open Door Sensory Storytime, Gamers’ Union, and Next Chapter Book Club) was selected for the Virginia County Achievement Award as the top winner overall as well as the winner in the Customer Service category.

A Place to Be

www.aplacetobeva.orgGrant: $25,000
This first time grant recipient of 100WS has launched The Same Sky Project, an ensemble of 20 teenagers living with diverse challenges who create and perform original thematic work. The student performers in this special ensemble live with Cerebral Palsy, Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism, Down Syndrome, chronic illness, and other mental, physical and emotional challenges. The ensemble’s goal is to raise awareness about differences, empathy, tolerance, acceptance and inclusion. Finished works can be seen in schools, community centers, and regional theaters. Each performance will feature an open audience discussion with the artists about prejudices, acceptance, advocacy and inspiration.

“I left with the thought that I just witnessed the most amazing theatrical performance. I cannot express my feelings when I left. I was blown away. I highly recommend everyone go see this.”
Steph Place, 100WS Donor Advisor

“The performance was pure magic. I know we all drove home with a smile on our face.”Teresa Wheeler, 100WS Donor Advisor

2012

All Ages Read Together

allagesreadtogether.comGrant: $9,600
The All Ages Read Together (AART) received a $9,500 grant for the “AART CPR” program, an intensive summer program that provides last-chance readiness activities for rising Kindergartners at two Loudoun County schools.

2011

Loudoun County Public Library

Open Door Story Time conducted through the Loudoun County Public Library received $3,045 to help fund this program year-round. Open Door Storytimes are designed for children who have developmental disorders on the autistic spectrum.